Mauro-Sheridan was one of two city schools awarded salad bars through the program. The other is Barnard Environmental Studies Magnet School, which has a student garden that will contribute veggies to the salad bar around harvest time.

The school held a kickoff for the city’s participation in the national grassroots healthful food initiative, “Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools.” The program seeks to provide 6,000 salad bars to schools over the next three years.

Thursday’s kickoff was the latest in a series of healthful foods initiatives launched in the schools under Tim Cipriano, director of food services. Cipriano emphasizes using fresh and locally grown produce in school lunches. He played a key role in development of Chefs Move to Schools, a component of first lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to fight childhood obesity.

Also at Mauro-Sheridan for the launch were U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Undersecretary Janey Thornton.